Cope knocks out Maguire at Grand Prix

Jamie Cope caused the first major upset of the Royal London Watches Grand Prix when he dumped out world number two Stephen Maguire in Glasgow.

The Stoke player cruised to a 5-1 first-round win at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre to make sure of his place in the last-16 draw.

A Grand Prix runner-up in 2007, Cope had a top break of 79 but other than that failed to make another run over 50.

The world number 20 was, however, understandably delighted with his victory over Maguire, one of the home favourites.

"I played quite solidly. I still made a couple of mistakes, but Stephen made more," said Cope.

"The 5-1 scoreline was a surprise. If he had played like he can it would have been a lot closer. Hopefully I can improve as the tournament progresses.

"I got to the final here a couple of years ago, so it would be great if I could do the same and even go one step better. I've love to have another crack at a final."

Cope won the opening frame with his composed break of 79 but neither player produced their best form in the next three scrappy frames.

It was Cope who claimed them all though for a healthy 4-0 interval lead.

Maguire rallied briefly with a break of 66 - his highest of the match - but Cope won the seventh to seal the victory.

"I did feel a little bit of extra pressure before the match, I was nervous, but I can't have any excuses," said Maguire.

"I never got going from start to finish. If you play six frames and you don't get going, then there's only one result.

"Apart from the first frame I had chances in every frame, but I gifted him two frames. I couldn't have made it any easier for him.

"I've not played as bad as that for a couple of years. I felt the match was over after the second frame, I just wanted to get out of the arena.

"There's been a lot of hype about this tournament, I really wanted to do well here in Glasgow.

"For some reason, when I got out there, I was really flat. It's the worst feeling in the world.

"But it's not the end of the world, I've only lost a snooker match at the end of the day."

China's Ding Junhui, a three-time ranking event winner, is also through to the last 16.

Junhui, who is based in Sheffield, impressed with a 5-0 whitewash of Jamie Burnett, another Glaswegian looking to make his mark in front of the home supporters.

Breaks of 75, 62, 64 and 85 did the trick for the world number 11, while Burnett's top break was only 15.

In the evening session, Mark Selby wasted little time in booking his place in the last 16.

The world number four and defending Masters and Welsh Open champion sparkled in a 5-0 whitewash of Widnes qualifier Andrew Higginson.

Three century breaks in five frames did the damage - and there was also a 68 break from Selby as he powered into the next phase.

The 'Jester from Leicester' admitted the match could have easily swung in his opponent's favour.

"I played really well, but as stupid as it sounds it could have gone against me tonight," said Selby.

"If Andrew wins the first frame, it could be a different game and I don't go on to make those three centuries."

He joked: "I was bit gutted I didn't make centuries in the other two frames!

"I played him (Andrew) in my first match of the season at the Northern Ireland. He dominated the first few frames over there, I knew he was a dangerous opponent."

Higginson, the world number 38, said: "He didn't miss a ball. I had a half chance to win the first frame, but I didn't do anything wrong after that.

"It's very disappointing, but there's not a lot you can do when someone plays that well against you."

Higginson made a break of 48 in the first frame, but lost it on the final black and Selby took control. The underdog scored just 77 points in the entire match.

Peter Ebdon, the former world and UK champion, eased into the last 16 with a 5-1 victory over Simon Bedford, a qualifier from Bradford.

Ebdon had breaks of 100, 48 and 53 to win secure his first win of the new season.

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